Friday, September 26, 2014

Emmy-winning former host of This Old House and Renovation Nation, Steve graciously toured through with me and shared his wonderful insights on the house and the renovation. He is a walking library of knowledge of all facets of historical architecture, the work to restore classic homes and sustainable building practices. He was incredibly generous in chatting through many details of our plans.

Being a true builder at heart however, he was also eager to take a look at the basement to get a feel for what the place was founded upon. When Steve asked what the basement was like, I sheepishly admitted that I hadn't been down yet. Upon hearing that, he made sure that was to be the next stop on the tour.

Steve's visit was one of those surreal moments when I felt like I was seventeen again and cozying up to another fascinating episode of This Old House. Except to my astonishment, he was in my house! I would have photographed him in every room but I thought that would be a bit too much...

I have to admit that I didn't really tell Steve how influential This Old House was to me in my younger days. Already a subscriber to Colonial Home magazine as a teenager, This Old House was historic architecture in motion. Growing up in a modest suburban ranch, I thought, oh my, to live in on old house with such history, with such craftsmanship, and with so many layers and lifetimes.

Over the course of my days I have learned (especially after writing this blog for six years) that I am without a doubt a house person. Experiencing firsthand Steve's enthusiasm for getting to know a new old house certainly proved to me that he is too, through and through. Having the opportunity to have him visit our new place, especially as we are embarking on our own old house renovation, was an experience I will forever cherish.

Steve and his wife Evy are on the tail-end of their Sea Cove Cottage renovation, which I have been following enthusiastically for the past year. Between time spent on his own renovation, and trips nationwide and abroad as spokesman for Habitat for Humanity International, he is a tireless advocate for our classic homes, and is an inspiration to all of us who are enamored with all things house.

33 comments
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I'm glad to find your new project at your old familiar blog address, will be following this with interest! All the best for your renovation, one can only imagine what a beautiful house this will be, like the last.

You are so lucky to get his input! I've been a fan of old houses and This Old House as long as I can remember! Unfortunately, after renovating one old house my husband decided he wasn't such a fan, so I am living my dream of renovating an old home through you:)

Oh, what an honor! I watched that show as well when I was a teenager, it's amazing how lifelong interests show up at such an early age. That barn/garage is amazing, I can't wait to see what color you paint the exterior! P.S. Happy Belated Birthday!!! Deni

I know first hand what a huge moment this was for you. You look like a giddy teenager posing with Davy Jones. No way!! Can't believe this post and that I had to find out from your blog. You'll hear from me later. Love this! Talk about a "Full Circle Moment" this truly was one for you. I'm dying to hear about his ideas. Love it.xoxoLisa

Wow, what a fun experience! And if your basement is anything like my dirt cellar, I don't go down there either. But I feel just as you do about old homes and am looking forward to following your renovation.

wow- love steve and This Old House! Such an honor to have him visit. I also devoured Colonial Home magazine (what a name from the past!!). Cannot wait to see your progress, and more importantly to me- how you decorate!

How wonderful! I, too, spent many hours watching Steve host This Old House. I love the other guys on the show too. They all are so tremendously knowledgeable about and skilled in their crafts. So happy that you had such a special visitor at your "new" old house. Claudia

Hey, I just had another thought. Why don't they feature your house renovation on the show, or in the magazine? That would be awesome and I can't think of a more deserving couple than you and Mike. You give so much thought to maintaining the historic preservation of your property and doing it in an environmentally friendly way, plus you have an excellent sense of style. It's a perfect fit.Claudia

Oh you are blessed. I remember This Old House from when it started and falling in love with Steve Thomas and so happy he was doing the show. He exuded warmth and sincerity. I doubt if I could even speak if I met him! And to hear someone else liked Colonial Homes makes me happy too. I don't know a soul (well one soul) now who even knows that magazine. The pictures of what I think of real homes had me dreaming of wood and craftsmanship. I was so sad when the publication stopped. Thank you for all of the sharing you do for us. I feel like I have met a kindred spirit.

Lucky you! I, too, grew up in a modest 1950's ranch and craved a house with history and craftsmanship. All that British literature I read only added fuel to the fire. I didn't even have a staircase to a second story. So, one of the first houses we rented when my husband and I married (now going on 40 years) was a dilapidated farmhouse built in the early 1800's and 'modernized' and expanded in the Victorian era. My mother was horrified. We learned a lot from that house, especially about what we could and could not put up with. But I still love old houses, and, yes, I too read Colonial Homes magazine back in the day.

This past summer, I tried to find copies of Colonial Home on eBay, but alas, they are quite scarce and expensive. However, I did manage to score a couple box lots of Early American Home and older Country Home (from the 90's) It was so fun to look through all those older publications.

I was coming to comment on how lovely your new old house is & how envious I am that you're already making such headway...we've been in ours for 3 years now and have barely scratched the surface. BUT then I see that you've also had Steve Thomas hanging out at your new digs! I was over the moon when he followed me on Twitter BUT a home visit...so amazing! I miss his days on This Old House...it isn't the same anymore and hasn't been for quite sometime...I wish Steve would come back and focus on old homes again and keeping them old.

I fully understand your reticence in visiting the basement. After 15 years of owning my old house, I still wonder whether this whole thing was a good idea every time I have to go down there for any reason. Wires, pipes, ancient mechanical systems - it's a very scary place!

OMG - How super fabulous to have THE Steve Thomas tour your home. Yes, he is a house person through and through, and like you, I too subscribed to Colonial Home as a mere teenager. The house love starts young! Best wishes for your adventure in renovating your home.

How very cool is that!!! I too am a house person, make it old, and I have everything I need. I've been following his Sea Cove reno also. The pictures he posts on FB are absolutely beautiful. I want to see the basement too! Our old house, still has the dirt floor and stacked stone foundation. Second house on that foundation. First one burned down in the civil war. Yes there are cobwebs and dark corners, fortunately I haven't seen any snakes, but I do go down often.

How amazing! I'd love for them to visit my house. We just bought a new (old) house. Is your new house completely shakes? Our home is and it has lead paint. I'm interested in how you will handle the exterior with new paint.